The issue of deliverance has become a very volatile subject in the church today. While some welcome and practice it, others are vehemently opposed to it and see it as strange doctrine. Moreover, this subject has generated so much debate and sometimes heated arguments at results in bad blood among Christian leaders and churches. As a ministry committed to the balanced growth and health of the church, it is high time we take a close look at this subject again. Kingly maintain an open mind if you are to benefit in this exposition.
A. Definition and Biblical Basis Luke 4:18, 17
The Greek word, soteria means salvation, deliverance from death, danger, sin, calamity, poverty, powers and principalities (Ps. 18:17 56:13 2 Sam. 2:2). Deliverance to the captives is part of the earthly ministry of our Lord. Deliverance is a term used to describe the process of setting the captives free. It is the total and complete freedom from sin, Satan, sickness and evil entanglement by the power of the Holy Sot in the name of Jesus. Col. 1.13. Acts 26 18,1 J3:8: 2 Tim. 4:18; 2 Pet 2:9, Heb. 2: 15.2 Cor 1:10.
Deliverance is a spiritual cleansing for the believer. Deliverance is that of spiritual warfare Even though, it doesn’t start and end with demonic spirits, yet it has much to do with demonic defilements, depression, domination and possession Deliverance can happen any progressively or simultaneously. God deliver without human aids, yet most times, He goes through human clean vessels.
B. Basic reasons for Deliverance Luke 1:73-75, Acts 26:18, 1 Tim. 4:1-2
- Jesus came not only to save but also to deliver. Luke 4:18
- Deliverance is Scriptural and experiential Many who are saved in spirit are still being oppressed in body
- Many saved people still have problems with smoking, drinking, immorality, lust, bad habits, nightmare, curses and covenants
- Demonic activities are on the increase
- Too many people, nation, city and communities are into occult and idol worship. Idol worship leads to bondage.
- Too many dedicated ansa, lands, people, generations and places Too many people in bondage of demonic oppression, depression and obsession.
- Complete freedom demands for deliverance session.
- So that the full benefits and blessings of Christ redemption can be appropriated.
C. Christians and Deliverance
Genuine and sincere Christians cannot be demonized in their spirit, but they can be depressed, harassed, afflicted and tormented in their bodies. If the mind is not renewed (Rom. 12:1-2) and the body carelessly handled, demons will wreck havoc with evil thoughts and diseases
Christians can also open the door for demons through un-confessed sin, unforgiving spirit, prolonged anger, bitterness, compromise immorality, stealing, lust, masturbation and curses. Christians who found themselves in these things need deliverance, repentance only will not solved.
D. The Need for Deliverance
- Half-baked and incomplete salvation experience
- Sicknesses, diseases and ailments are rampant
- Poverty and squalor reigning supreme
- Bondage and oppression in churches
- Darkness and hostility to the gospel
- Idol worship and ancestral worship is common
- Generational sins and curses
- Sexual bondage
- Demonic foundation and covenants
- Multivarious problems that defy human solutions
E. Wrong Practices of Deliverance
- Beating and physically abusing people
- Tying with chain and rope
- Pushing and pulling people down
- Punishing with food and deprivation
- Binding the devil and not demons
- Conversation with demonic Spirits
- Showing people’s nakedness and touching sensitive parts
- Bathing, washing and rubbing the opposite sex
- Selling anointing oil, handkerchiefs and candles
- Ungodly and unbiblical, syncretism practices
- Seeing every woman as a witch or demonized
F. Levels of Deliverance
There are four levels or degrees of deliverance, though many tends to focus on only one aspect
1. Personal deliverance
Demonic activities in an individual’s life. In personal deliverances, even though there is what is called self-deliverance, yet you will always need somebody with a higher anointing to pray with you and for you. It may be once or gradual
2. Church Deliverance-Mark 1.20-23
Demons do attach themselves to churches through faulty foundation, incidents, calamities, occult practices, spiritual curses and unconfessed sins. Setting your churches free requires strong deliverance practices
3. Community Deliverance-2 Cor. 4:3; 4
Many fruitless evangelistic efforts in a community are traceable to community bondage. Once a community is under the spell of demonic domination, there can be no light of the gospel shinning brightly there. Pastors and churches leaders in such community must of necessity come together for prayer, sharing, fellowship and strategic action on how to set their community free
4. Family Deliverance
Some families are under a particular demonic spell or bondage. It may be a re-occurring sickness, disease, calamities or curses. Even though repentance is necessary for such people or family, yet deliverance session is the key solution to complete freedom.
Recommended Reading
PRAYER & SPIRITUAL WARFARE: INTERCESSION FOR GROWTH
The Mystery of Altars: Building a Prayer Altar in Your Home
THE SCHOOL CALLED MARRIAGE
G. Dangers of Neglecting Deliverance
In churches and circles where deliverance is not allowed and welcomed, these are some of the outcomes:
- Weak, powerless and anemic Christians
- Unexplainable defeat and sinfulness of Christians
- Baffling problems and situations and refuse to yield to petition prayers
- Sicknesses, poverty and calamities killing Christians
- Christians not living up to their kingdom privileges
- Curses and wrong foundation troubling Christians
- Oppressive air of bondage in the church
- Little fruit despite years of labour
H. Pitfalls to avoid in Deliverance
- Extremism-seeing deliverance in every issue and problems
- Glorification of devil and demons
- Ungodly practices and questionable actions
- Prayerlessness or little preparation
- Failure to study, soak and drink deep in the Word
- Listening to deception and deceiving spirits
- Doing it along in pride
- Condoning sin and evil in private life
- Doing it without spiritual covering and protection
I. The Deliverance Minister
Too many promising ministers have made a shipwreck of their faith, simply because they dabbled into deliverance ministry without adequate knowledge and preparation. So many young men have fallen into immorality. fornication, adultery and sexual bondage as a result of conducting deliverance sessions for young females who entice and seduce them into sin. Many heard strange voices and the resultant prophetic act have landed them in trouble and chronic bondage of iniquity.
Many churches have scattered and many women have been taken advantage of in the name of deliverance. In the light of the above, we must observe these codes of conduct and imbibe these qualities of an effective deliverance minister.
- Must be genuinely and soundly born again
- Must be holy, pure within and without
- Totally and completely free from any bondage
- Must embrace personal growth and maturity
- Must be freshly and highly anointed
- Ability to hear God clearly and unmistakenly
- Must be well trained and informed
- Must maintain a personal and vibrant prayer life
- Must maintain a personal and vibrant prayer life
- Must be adapt in the Word of God
- If invited, must operate within the order of the house
- Cases must be treated individually and confidentially
- Must no operate alone
- Must have minimal contact with opposite
- Must be aware and work against negative bounce back
- Must be humble, teachable and submissive
- Must be under spiritual covering and leadership
- Must quickly report any strange feeling or experience.